On the night of 9/6, Real Madrid announced on their official website that they had formally submitted an offer worth 150 million euro (approximately 173 million USD) to Atletico for forward Alvarez. However, after reviewing and evaluating the bid, Atletico declined the offer, referencing the Argentine player's release clause and thanking Real Madrid for the good relationship between the two clubs.

Announcement on Real Madrid's official website on 9/6 regarding the official offer sent to Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez, which was rejected. *Photo: Real Madrid*.

Spanish newspaper AS commented, "This is considered an almost unprecedented move, both in its context and execution. For a club to proactively issue an official announcement publicly disclosing a transfer offer – along with the partner's response – is rare."

The situation began on 4/6 with a promise Perez made during his election campaign on the set of the Horizonte program. At that time, just one day after rival candidate Enrique Riquelme announced he would sign Erling Haaland, the 79-year-old leader launched a counter-move. He revealed, "next tuesday (9/6), we will make an official offer for a player; this will be the largest amount Real has ever spent on a transfer in the club's history."

Perez added, "The offer is for a major Champions League team, not Haaland, not Michael Olise, not Harry Kane, nor Jeremy Doku... and he does not play in the Premier League." The president, born in 1947, concluded by mentioning the figure: "At least we will offer 173 million USD. This is a 100% Galactico-level deal."

Florentino Perez celebrates after being re-elected Real Madrid President for his 8th term at the Eurobuilding hotel, Madrid, Spain, during the election on 7/6. *Photo: Reuters*.

Since then, the identity of this star remained a mystery. All European media speculation focused on three names: Olise – despite denials, a player Perez reportedly liked very much – Joao Neves, or Vitinha from PSG.

Day after day, no confirmation came from the Bernabeu team. Bayern Munich representative, President Herbert Hainer, even had to issue a statement: "Olise is a Bayern player; he has a long-term contract. We are not a club that likes to sell its stars. If Perez wants to send an offer, he can save his effort, even for 173 million USD or more."

The mystery persisted until the night of 9/6, precisely at the previously announced time. Although the offer was rejected, Real's issuing of a standard announcement on their official website was a way for President Perez's leadership to uphold its promise and maintain transparency with club members and fans. The offer was indeed sent after his re-election; the partner simply declined.

Forward Alvarez celebrates a goal during the Atletico Madrid – Real Sociedad match in the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja stadium, Seville, Spain, on 19/4. *Photo: Reuters*.

Regarding Alvarez's release clause at Atletico, Spanish media assert this figure is 500 million euro (approximately 578 million USD). This is the sum the Metropolitano team uses as a shield to prevent the Argentine star from leaving. The next condition is that the player himself must want to find a new club.

If this deal had been successful, it would have been the most expensive transfer in Real's history, surpassing Jude Bellingham's 150 million USD and Eden Hazard's 115 million USD. The transfer record for "Los Blancos" has never exceeded the 173 million USD mark. Arch-rival Barca is similar, although they nearly reached it with the Ousmane Dembele transfer from Dortmund in 2017 – priced at 171 million USD including add-ons.

Hoang Thong